Face Shield Mask

ABSTRACT

The face shield mask can comprise of a mask sheet that covers the front part of the head, a support structure which holds the mask sheet in place on the front part of the head, and a nose rest. 
     The face shield mask sheet may be made from transparent material alone, like a UVA/UVB or Polarized sheet, or in combination with nontransparent material in the area not obscuring vision, like stickers or paint. 
     The support structure holds the face shield mask in front of the face. The nose rest provides additional support for the face shield mask. 
     The face shield mask covers the wearer&#39;s face from harmful sun or wind exposure or public view.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Not Applicable

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not Applicable

REFERENCE TO SEQUENCE LISTING, A TABLE, OR A COMPUTER PROGRAM LISTING COMPACT DISK APPENDIX

Not Applicable

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

A person applies sunscreen on her face for UVA/UVB protection. Without regular reapplication, it is often not enough to protect her face from sunburn. Even when she wears sunglasses, the sunglasses cover only her eyes and a small area surrounding them, leaving the rest of the face still exposed to the sun. After a few hours out in the sun, the areas of the front of the head that are not covered by the sunglasses may tan or even sunburn while the area covered by the sunglasses does not. The result is a visible difference in the coloration of the face: the person has “raccoon eyes.” The phrase describes that area that had been covered by the sunglasses and therefore not as tanned or sunburned as the rest of the face. For more protection from the sun with less sunscreen reapplication and to avoid the “raccoon eyes,” a person would need to cover most or all of her face.

A person who has undergone treatment of her skin on her face, such as for skin burns or skin cancer, can have scars and discoloration on her face. Another person who is still undergoing treatment may be medically-required to keep her face covered whenever she goes outside in the sun. Still another person may have blemishes, like acne, or different pigmentation on the skin of her face. These persons may feel embarrassed to go out in public while they have these conditions and so they greatly reduce their outdoor activities or just stay indoors instead.

Cameras are ubiquitous these days. There are surveillance cameras at practically every building or intersection and everyone who has a cell phone has immediate access to a camera. A person may be photographed or videotaped without her knowledge. The photograph or video may be posted online or otherwise publicly displayed without her permission, or used for illicit purposes. It may also be plugged into a facial-recognition software to identify her.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is a face shield mask that may be worn as skin protection from the sun but covers a bigger area of the face than a pair of sunglasses does. The face shield mask also hides the wearer's face from public view and from invasive photo- and video-capturing.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The face shield mask can comprise of a sheet that covers the front part of the head, a support structure which holds the mask sheet in front of the face, and a nose rest.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the present invention, in a configuration with the lips and chin not covered.

FIG. 2 is perspective view of FIG. 1 of the present invention, shown as intended to be worn on a person's face.

FIG. 3 is an exploded view of FIG. 1 of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the present invention, in a configuration extending to cover the chin.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 3, the face shield mask can comprise of a mask sheet, Part Number 2, that masks the front part of the head; a support structure, Part Number 4, which holds the mask sheet in front of the face: and a nose rest, Part Number 6.

The face shield mask may be shaped and configured to leave the lips and chin exposed (See FIGS. 1 and 2) or to cover them (See FIG. 4).

The face shield mask sheet, Part Number 2, may be made from transparent material alone or in combination with nontransparent material. The transparent material may be UVA/UVB or Polarized material. The area of the mask sheet not obscuring vision may include design or nontransparent material; for example, design stickers, paint, opaque film.

The thickness of the mask sheet. Part Number 2, may vary for stiffness and weight requirements. Its free edges may be flanged or include stiffening members if required.

The mask sheet. Part Number 2, may be attached to the support structure, Part Number 4, using a strong adhesive or tiny decorative rivets, or both. It may also be integral to the support structure.

The support structure, Part Number 4, keeps the face shield mask in front of the head and secures it on the wearer's head. The support structure of the face shield mask may be attached to hats or caps. The support structure may also be made to rest on the wearer's ears, wrap around the wearer's head, rest entirely on the wearer's eyeglasses, or any combination of these.

The size and shape of the support structure. Part Number 4, may vary to conform to the size and shape of the mask sheet, Part Number 2. The support structure may include hinged members to allow for folding. In this case, the mask sheet, Part Number 2, may include breaks at the hinge lines.

The nose rest, Part number 6, provides additional support for the face shield mask. The nose rest may be attached to the mask sheet or the support structure.

The face shield mask covers the front part of the head from harmful sun or wind exposure or from public view. The face shield mask functions to provide additional protection of the face from sunburn and prevent “raccoon eyes.” The face shield mask covers the face to hide embarrassing scars, discoloration, tattoos and other marks on the face. Additionally, the face shield mask obscures the face from unwelcome or unpermitted photographing and videotaping.

The face shield mask may be configured to be worn over prescription eyeglasses. The face shield mask may be worn purely for ornamental or decorative purposes. 

We claim:
 1. A face shield mask comprising (i) a facial lens shaped and dimensioned to cover the entire face of a wearer, including the wearer's forehead, nose, chin, and left and right sides, said facial lens manufactured from optical-grade polymer, glass, or resin-based lens material with UV-blocking properties; (ii) a head support means that is integral with or attached to said facial lens and adapted to engage the wearer's ears or head to fixedly secure and support said facial lens in front of the wearer's face; and (iii) a nose support means that is integral with or attached to said facial lens or said head support means to support and keep said facial lens engaged on the wearer's nose.
 2. The face shield mask of claim 1 wherein said facial lens is made from a single or multiple lens segments of three-dimensional shape of varying curvature angles, formed and molded to simulate a person's face as a whole, including a forward protrusion to simulate said person's nose, thereby providing optimal facial coverage and fit.
 3. The face shield mask of claim 1 wherein said facial lens comprises a single or multiple lens coating selected from a group consisting of scratch-resistant film, polarizer polychromic film, color tint, mirror glaze, anti-reflective film, anti-fogging, and anti-static coating.
 4. The face shield mask of claim 1 wherein one or more vent notches are integrated with said facial lens along any edge of said facial lens.
 5. The face shield mask of claim 1 wherein one or more vent apertures are integrated with said facial lens at or near the level of the wearer's mouth, nostrils, eyes, or eyebrows.
 6. The face shield mask of claim 1 wherein said facial lens and said head support means are integrally-molded together.
 7. The face shield mask of claim 1 wherein said head support means is an eyeglass frame structure that attaches or receives said facial lens.
 8. The face shield mask of claim 1 wherein said head support means comprises a strap or headband attached to each side of said face shield mask and wraps around the back of a wearer's head.
 9. The face shield mask of claim 8 wherein said strap or headband includes fasteners, buckles, or coupling members for adjustment of length and quick release.
 10. The face shield mask of claim 1 wherein said facial lens and said nose support means are integrally-molded together.
 11. The face shield mask of claim 1 wherein said head support means and said nose support means are integrally-molded together.
 12. The face shield mask of claim 1 wherein said face shield mask supports miniature electronics and other wearable technology. 